BooksChatter: ℚ His Montana Rescue: Montana Lakeside [3]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Vella Munn to talk about His Montana Rescue (25 August 2016, Tule Publishing, 203 pages), a Contemporary Romance, book three of Montana Lakeside series.

Praise for Vella Munn

"...The dialog is simply wonderful and real. I couldn't put it down until the final page." - Paula Pugh, Goodreads

"... an enjoyable quick read with a big surprise and a sweet ending." -Bonnie Gonzales, Goodreads

"...fresh take on love and second chances ..." - Shelah, Goodreads.

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || The Series || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome back to Vella Munn; thank you for joining us again!

What compelled you to write this particular series, Montana Lakeside?

"I love talking about this so thanks for asking. Probably because I was raised in the mountains and spent much of my childhood in a small logging town where my mother was the only teacher, love of nature became part of my DNA. Setting is always important to me in my writing. I have to know where my characters are and since I’ve never lived in a city, I don’t feel qualified to write about them. One afternoon, fueled by a glass of wine and an approaching storm while in Colorado’s mountains, I was slapped upside the head by the desire to write a contemporary romance series that drew on my love and understanding of nature. Each book would take place during a different season and involve men and women in need of second chances. They’re all carrying around emotional baggage but discover the wilderness’s ability to help heal. I’m promoting His Mountain Rescue, the story that takes place in the summer."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"Hmm. I think I gave away much of the answer in how I responded to the first question. I’m a mountain gal and my heroine Echo Rose is a forest ranger. Our family has a summer cabin in Oregon within an hour’s drive of Crater Lake which means the cabin is surrounded by forest. Also, my son worked for the forest service for several summers doing a lot of fire fighting, like Echo did before a fire nearly killed her."

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating this series?

"Hopefully I’m not giving away a secret, but when I started on the series, I set it in Oregon because that’s where I live. Then I contracted with Tule Publishing which has several highly successful romance series set in Montana. The publisher asked if I’d consider moving my fictional Lake Serene to Montana. Of course I agreed and started researching a state I’d only briefly visited many years ago. Now I’m absolutely in love with Montana and am dying to spend time there."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for His Montana Rescue - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"The publisher was responsible for the cover but I did have input into it. I’m delighted with the mountains in the background and the fact that the couple’s dress is casual. The man’s haircut wouldn’t be my first choice but I love their interaction."

Why should we read the Montana Lakeside series? What makes your series unique?

"Oh boy, put me on the spot. I’d like to believe the series is unique because it handles setting as a character."

Can you tell us something quirky about His Montana Rescue, its story and characters?

"I had a lot of fun salting in a number of chipmunk sightings. I wanted to make the point that chipmunks show up whenever Echo and Rey are together. "

Who would you recommend His Montana Rescue to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"His Mountain Rescue is close to a G rating. I deliberately moderated the sexuality because I wanted the relationship to revolve around slowly developing trust."

If you could / wished to turn His Montana Rescue and the Montana Lakeside series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"Oh gosh, I’m not the one to ask except I’d love to have it filmed in the shadow of Montana’s Rocky Mountains and to be there myself of course. "

What has been your greatest challenge as a writer?

"Promotion. Seriously, that doesn’t come naturally to me or to most writers."

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

"Years ago when I was writing category romance for Harlequin, my editor accidently included a note from the senior editor that was in response to my editor’s comments about a submission. “But she still can’t write” the senior editor had written.

Best compliments probably come from my dear friend NYT bestselling writer Catherine Anderson who always has my back. She gets me."

What is in store next?

"I’ve completed the Montana Lakeside series and am about to start another series, this one set in a small town and revolving around residents determined to put their lives together following an arson fire that burned down a number of houses."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?